Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselorshttp://faithfullyguided.org
Christian Counseling in Ocala, Florida, Faithfully GuidedFri, 16 Mar 2018 14:18:38 +0000en-UShourly1February’s Kindness Challengehttp://faithfullyguided.org/februarys-kindness-challenge/
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:15:44 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=736On February 22nd we brought Holy Yoga to Unity Place where we offered the residents there a free yoga session. We desired to provide a taste of the physical benefits of yoga combined with the spiritual benefits of Christ being the focus of intention and worship. This was my first experience with this practice and let me tell you; it ...

]]>On February 22nd we brought Holy Yoga to Unity Place where we offered the residents there a free yoga session. We desired to provide a taste of the physical benefits of yoga combined with the spiritual benefits of Christ being the focus of intention and worship. This was my first experience with this practice and let me tell you; it was fantastic… even for an endurance junky like myself!

We chose Unity Place because of the growing population of individuals afflicted with substance abuse disorders in our community. For those of you who don’t know, Unity Place is a 64-bed sober living facility located across the street from Tuscawilla Park. The facility serves 350-400 people annually by providing room, board, and accountability. A Google search defined a halfway house as “an institution that allows people with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, or those with criminal backgrounds, to learn (or relearn) the necessary skills to re-integrate into society.” A local source tells us more than 70% of the residents residing at Unity Place are there for substance abuse disorders.

Sadly, drug, alcohol, and suicide deaths are on the rise with Florida having one of the highest mortality rates. Ponder the fundamental biblical truth that tells us we were created for relationship. This truth speaks in direct opposition to Satan’s plans to keep us isolated. The thief who came to steal, kill, and destroy tries to tell us that we are all alone but that is NOT true! If you are feeling isolated or burdened by addiction, anxiety, or depression- please know we are here to help. Our goal at Faithfully Guided is to partner with you to connect the spirit, mind, and body. Our non-linear approach is individualized and person-centered promoting optimal health, balance, and vitality through the lens of God.

Moving forward, we will continue to partner with our community to offer affordable pastoral counseling and integrative healthcare services. As we grow, our outreach efforts will too. When we open in our new facility, we plan to bring Holy Yoga to our clientele and the community including and especially those at Unity Place and other organizational outreach programs like it. Please join us in promoting kindness and dignity to everyone around us. Lastly, if you or someone you know might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, please see the links below for free local resources available to you and your loved ones.

]]>Holy Yoga By Cealia Athanasonhttp://faithfullyguided.org/holy-yoga-by-cealia-athanason/
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:02:13 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=732Heading into the last few weeks of Holy Yoga training, I’m still wrapping my head around the concept. The modality of yoga is one that easily leads us into something more. Through practicing yoga, our sense of self-awareness inevitably deepens. We notice which positions and sequences are the most difficult, refreshing, invigorating, peaceful or triggering. When we stay with the ...

]]>Heading into the last few weeks of Holy Yoga training, I’m still wrapping my head around the concept. The modality of yoga is one that easily leads us into something more. Through practicing yoga, our sense of self-awareness inevitably deepens. We notice which positions and sequences are the most difficult, refreshing, invigorating, peaceful or triggering. When we stay with the difficult ones, sit with the conflicting emotions, we learn more about ourselves—not just physically and mentally. This is where we tap into our spirituality.

Holy Yoga is not meant to be captured by our minds. That would diminish it to simply a yoga practice with pretty music and motivational words, where we would only get deeper with ourselves. Rather, it’s a practice of the heart and soul. Taking our heads out of the practice and embracing the experience with open hearts and souls ready to be nourished creates the space within ourselves to receive all that Holy Yoga offers.

This type of yoga encompasses the entirety of body, mind, spirit and strength, but we have to allow it to. I recently taught my very first Holy Yoga class as part of Faithfully Guided’s monthly Day of Kindness. Of course, I was nervous, and my head was entirely too involved in the process. It’s a class unlike any other I’ve either participated in or taught, although it is the way I’ve found myself practicing at home over the past few years.

And that is exactly what I mean about yoga as a practice. It leads us to something deeper. Because of my beliefs, it led me to experience God in a new and different way—physically presenting my body as something He considers beautiful, mentally releasing my negative thoughts and insecurities to His power, spiritually feeling refreshed and healed. This is Holy Yoga. It’s Christ-centered, Spirit-filled and Bible-based, and it can take our relationship with God to an experiential level. For me, it’s brought out truth and freedom and peace and left behind guilt, shame and lies.

Pairing a physical practice of opening the body with the spiritual practice of worship becomes very powerful. God’s promises and truths fill our bodies with hope and peace. We feel rest in His plan and His purpose. We can release our control, our worry, our striving and, instead, listen for how God leads us to use our desires and passions. We can simply enjoy the fulfilling act of worship, knowing that He delights in us.

Holy Yoga helps us realize that it’s not about us being perfect or bringing anything to the table but ourselves—just as we are. It’s about our perfect Father filling us with His Spirit and the love of Jesus to lead us through the beautiful plan He has for us.

Ultimately, Holy Yoga is a place of rest and refreshment in our lifelong journey toward wholeness, relationship, community and purposeful living.

]]>The Feathered Reminderhttp://faithfullyguided.org/the-feathered-reminder/
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:50:03 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=729“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 God knows we worry. He thought of us when He created the birds. The birds are our constant reminder that God will take care of ...

]]>“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26

God knows we worry. He thought of us when He created the birds. The birds are our constant reminder that God will take care of us. They sing a song everyday that is a reminder that your Heavenly Father loves you and will provide for your every need.

Next time you get caught in a worry trap, stop and listen. Listen for the birds. If you can’t hear their song you are too busy or too worried. When you do hear one, focus in and let the tune calm your worry. The birds sing the same song each and every day. The words go something like this, “I love you, I love you, I love you, don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry”.

]]>Finding Rest by Cealia Athanasonhttp://faithfullyguided.org/finding-rest-by-cealia-athanason/
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:23:08 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=703Life has a way of creeping up on us, doesn’t it? All of a sudden our weekly schedules, commitments and must-dos are more than we would like to handle. I’m in the middle of Holy Yoga training, and the concept of living and acting with a sense of peace keeps coming up. God continues to speak, “Be still,” into my ...

]]>Life has a way of creeping up on us, doesn’t it? All of a sudden our weekly schedules, commitments and must-dos are more than we would like to handle. I’m in the middle of Holy Yoga training, and the concept of living and acting with a sense of peace keeps coming up. God continues to speak, “Be still,” into my life. Rest in Me; I will take care of you.

When we know we are in His plan, He works out the details. We don’t have to worry or strive to make things happen faster. We just have to follow Him in the interim. This can be the uncomfortable space He uses to shape us for what comes next. And in the meantime, we let our emotions and actions fall under what brings our souls peace.

This idea of only saying, thinking and acting in a way that maintains the peace within us is an incredible tool for staying centered. When feelings of overwhelm invade your heart space, breath in the assurance of Psalm 46:10.

]]>Uninterrupted by Dave Scotthttp://faithfullyguided.org/uninterrupted-dave-scott/
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 19:40:18 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=720I was out with my wife one evening. Picture the setting of a warmly lit restaurant and the silent chatter of couples connecting over dinner. What happens next is a bit embarrassing. I looked down at my phone in mid conversation, put my hand in the air to call a conversation time-out and responded to a text message. Instant mood ...

]]>I was out with my wife one evening. Picture the setting of a warmly lit restaurant and the silent chatter of couples connecting over dinner. What happens next is a bit embarrassing. I looked down at my phone in mid conversation, put my hand in the air to call a conversation time-out and responded to a text message. Instant mood killer!

Have you ever been there? Look around next time you are out with your spouse, check to see how often we allow ourselves to be pulled away with text messages or phone distraction. We know this is a mood killer yet we do it anyways!

Here’s my challenge to you and to me:

When you are out with your spouse, make it a policy to put the phone away and listen. That’s it! Guys, I’m calling you out! Ladies, step-up and put the phone away!

Imagine with me, what it might look like to spend an uninterrupted evening with your spouse listening intently to their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. One of the most valuable behaviors today is listening because it is so scarce.

Will you accept the challenge of being a better listener?

Practice:

This evening take your cell phones and turn the ringer off and put them in a basket by the door.

]]>Message from The Executive Directorhttp://faithfullyguided.org/message-executive-director-february-2018/
Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:36:53 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=713This year, February 14th is a big deal! Please allow me to share the significance of God’s perfect timing. Yes! It is Valentine’s Day, a day focused on loving those we care for. It also happens to be the beginning of our journey through Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and almsgiving as we desire to grow closer to the ...

]]>This year, February 14th is a big deal! Please allow me to share the significance of God’s perfect timing. Yes! It is Valentine’s Day, a day focused on loving those we care for. It also happens to be the beginning of our journey through Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and almsgiving as we desire to grow closer to the Lord. Lastly, but not coincidentally, February 14th is the official date of the closing of our new building in the heart of downtown Ocala. What does all of this mean? All I can think of is the over-pouring of God’s love and the impact of His love for our community. We will begin a full renovation with the plans to open our new expanded services to help connect the spirit, mind and body at Faithfully Guided Health Center this spring.

When I reflect on this significant day in February, I am reminded by God’s unconditional love and that above all things, He desires a loving relationship with us. This relationship with Him is fundamental to all things in life. 1 John 4:16 states, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” It is often difficult to really comprehend the love of God. We can only imagine and measure it according to our personal experiences and with people who love us. Unfortunately, this can also make it difficult to accept His love when we have been deeply hurt by those closest to us. However, our definition and experience of love is limiting and conditional and often shared intentionally when it is convenient, adds value, feels good, or is the right thing to do. It is a choice for us. But not for God. God’s infinite love for each of us is in the very experience of feeling or expressing love. If He is love, He doesn’t choose to love us, therefore, His love cannot be lost or taken away. Love is. God is. Whether we always acknowledge God in the details of our life, let us be reminded that, if we love, we are living in God.

My prayer is that we remind ourselves that God and His love is bigger than anything we can try to comprehend or imagine. When others fail us, His love still prevails. His provision and plan for our lives is constantly unfolding and becomes a reminder of His perfect love as He lays out the details of our lives. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly and He delights in every detail of their lives (Psalm 37:23). In His love, we become participators and servants in His will, despite our weaknesses and shortcomings. There are no coincidences in His love. God is love. May you feel God’s holy presence and loving embrace.

]]>Kindness Challenge 2018http://faithfullyguided.org/kindness-challenge-2018/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:42:33 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=711On January 22nd, Faithfully Guided committed to picking up three pieces of garbage daily. We encouraged you, our families, and friends to do the same. This initiative is part of our commitment to participate in a “kindness challenge” on the 22nd of each month. This challenge was birthed after I attended a conference where I learned some staggering statistics. According ...

]]>On January 22nd, Faithfully Guided committed to picking up three pieces of garbage daily. We encouraged you, our families, and friends to do the same. This initiative is part of our commitment to participate in a “kindness challenge” on the 22nd of each month. This challenge was birthed after I attended a conference where I learned some staggering statistics. According to National Geographic, straws are the main contributor to the 8 million tons of plastic that makes its way into the ocean every year. It is estimated that 6 million straws and stirrers have been removed from beaches during annual cleaning events over the past 25 years. These little straws are mistaken for food by sea creatures, especially whales, and cannot be digested.

You are probably like me and wonder, “What can I do”? Well, I’m glad you asked! I will share with you what I learned from my conference. The simplest way you can eradicate straws from the environment is to stop using them altogether, buy reusable straws, or even purchase biodegradable straws. Moreover, when you are at a restaurant, simply let the waitress know that you are a straw free table.

Faithfully Guided stands on the belief that, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it, for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters’(psalms 24:1-2). Therefore, our team will continue our efforts on this kindness initiative through February 22nd and beyond. Moving forward, I urge everyone to give us feedback on different initiatives that promote kindness to self, others, and our community! Don’t forget to share with us how your family is being good stewards of what God has blessed us with!

]]>Detox by Ashlee Seekhttp://faithfullyguided.org/detox-ashlee-seek/
Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:15:38 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=705It’s a toxic world! Every day we eat, breathe and absorb toxins from the world in which we exist both internally and externally. Unfortunately, these toxins can severely affect our overall health and wellness. Even when we eat well and exercise regularly the fact of the matter is, we are exposed to toxins on a daily basis from sources like ...

]]>It’s a toxic world! Every day we eat, breathe and absorb toxins from the world in which we exist both internally and externally. Unfortunately, these toxins can severely affect our overall health and wellness. Even when we eat well and exercise regularly the fact of the matter is, we are exposed to toxins on a daily basis from sources like pollution, processed foods, chemicals, and pesticides. Over time, poisonous toxins take a toll on our energy level, metabolism, immune system and mood. This ultimately compromises our quality of life and can lead to disease if the cycle is not halted. Signs of toxicity may include feeling tired and sick, having headaches, nausea, and/or being overweight. In order to restore health and vitality, the harmful toxins must be identified and removed. Using science based, comprehensive-testing methods, the practitioners at Faithfully Guided can identify each patient’s levels and specific types of toxicity. This is essential for determining the root causes of your conditions and symptoms. We will then create a personalized “map” of treatment that will enable you to restore and optimize your health. Each program typically starts with an elimination diet (don’t let this word fool you, it’s delicious and natural), supplements, and botanicals.

To get you started, we recommend:

Hydrating with filtered water daily to ensure adequate flushing.

Increasing fiber intake to a minimum of 30 grams per day. High fiber foods like vegetable, fruits, and legumes improve regularity, trap toxins, and even balance hormones.

Increasing antioxidant foods like berries can help protect from cellular damage that leads to disease.

In time we expect regular, daily bowel movements, which are important for ensuring that toxins are removed from the system.

David cries out in to God in Psalm 51:10 ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me!’ Detoxification is getting rid of the impurities that we have in our triune bodies. At Faithfully Guided, we invite you to intentionally detox your spirit, mind and body by staying rooted in His word. Hebrews 10:22 says ‘Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.’ We are dedicated to help you find restoration by minimizing exposure to both internal and external toxins. We believe that our bodies are the temple of God and we want to bring the best, most pure sacrifices to God’s table through the foods we eat. Are you ready for a new you? Make an appointment today!

]]>Coffee & Kindness – January 2018http://faithfullyguided.org/coffee-kindness-january-2018/
Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:01:19 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=687On December 22, we continued to pay-it-forward by choosing kindness at the Hope Clinic. Four families purchased hygiene items, coffee and cookies and were given the opportunity to serve and distribute items outside the Hope Clinic one evening. It was an inspiring and heart filling experience. Practitioners inside treating patients even mentioned how it changed the entire dynamic of the ...

]]>On December 22, we continued to pay-it-forward by choosing kindness at the Hope Clinic. Four families purchased hygiene items, coffee and cookies and were given the opportunity to serve and distribute items outside the Hope Clinic one evening. It was an inspiring and heart filling experience. Practitioners inside treating patients even mentioned how it changed the entire dynamic of the waiting room that night. The Lord truly provided a night of joy, hope, and necessity for His people. Special thanks to Ashlee Seek who coordinated the opportunity with Cindy Grow. You too can participate each month on the 22nd by choosing kindness and extending some type of gesture or act of service in your area of influence. Stay connected with us at our Coffee & Kindness Face Book page for current details.

]]>Eucharisteo!!http://faithfullyguided.org/eucharisteo/
Fri, 12 Jan 2018 01:07:20 +0000http://faithfullyguided.org/?p=681By definition Eucharisteo (pronounced yoo-khar-is-teh’-o) means: to be grateful, feel thankful or to give thanks. In her book, One thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp dares her readers to “live fully, right where they are”. Voskamp believes this remarkable and practical guide to living a life of joy starts by embarking on a transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling gifts. Her very own ...

]]>By definition Eucharisteo (pronounced yoo-khar-is-teh’-o) means: to be grateful, feel thankful or to give thanks. In her book, One thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp dares her readers to “live fully, right where they are”. Voskamp believes this remarkable and practical guide to living a life of joy starts by embarking on a transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling gifts. Her very own journey started by listing 1000 gifts of her everyday life, which included homeschooling her 6 children and working on her family farm with her husband. The author pointed out that when she started to intentionally look for gifts she was awakened by God’s everyday blessings, which even included sticky floors, and a sink piled high with dishes. As I embark on my own journey to be authentically fulfilled, I invite you to take the challenge with me by writing down 1000+ gifts in 2018. Keeping a running log of a gratitude list can do this.

From a health perspective, the art of giving thanks has been well studied and documented. According to research at the Duke University Medical Center, people who actively express thankfulness can:

Increase oxytocin levels (sometimes called the “love” hormone because it fosters calm and security in relationships).

Improve neurotransmitter production

Decrease systemic inflammation

Boost impulse control

Improve relationships with self and others

Moreover, a major side effect of gratitude is HAPPINESS! While this is not a comprehensive list of benefits, I hope it shows the importance of a thankful heart. Giving thanks is mentioned at least 140 times in the bible. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

As we begin 2018, may we all discover a way of seeing that opens our eyes to gratitude and a way of becoming present to God’s presence that brings deep and lasting happiness? I wish you all a new year filled with abundant blessings!